Crop residues: Difference between revisions
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'' | Nearly every food crop has some parts that are too fibrous for people to eat. These are called '''crop residues''', also known as '''biomass waste.''' | ||
__NOTOC__ | |||
==Examples== | |||
* banana leaves | * banana leaves | ||
* peanut shells | * peanut shells | ||
* coconut shells | * coconut shells | ||
* empty corn cobs with no kernels | * empty corn cobs with no kernels | ||
* rice husks | |||
* sunflower seed husks | |||
* [[straw]] | * [[straw]] | ||
==Uses== | |||
# All biomass waste can be burned for [[energy]]. | # All biomass waste can be burned for [[energy]]. | ||
# ''Some'' kinds of biomass waste can be converted into [[packaging]]. | # ''Some'' kinds of biomass waste can be converted into [[packaging]]. | ||
| Line 21: | Line 19: | ||
3 and 4 are both ways to convert fiber into human-edible protein & calories. Help figure out which of these processes is more efficient overall. This page doesn't have enough information yet - join the {{talk}}. | 3 and 4 are both ways to convert fiber into human-edible protein & calories. Help figure out which of these processes is more efficient overall. This page doesn't have enough information yet - join the {{talk}}. | ||
==Supply== | |||
{{sum|Major limitation|bad}} | |||
'''Global [[fossil fuel]] consumption far exceeds what can be produced by crops.''' | |||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
== | Production is roughly equal to food production, because about half of the average food crop is biomass waste (the other half is food). | ||
--> | |||
===Mass=== | |||
{{dp | {{dp | ||
|crop_residues | |crop_residues | ||
| Line 48: | Line 52: | ||
|4 kalorie/gram | |4 kalorie/gram | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{dp | |||
|power_plant.efficiency | |||
|33% | |||
|How much of the fuel combustion heat becomes electricity | |||
|This applies to any power plant that runs on biomass, coal, nuclear fission, or in some cases natural gas. The fuel heats water which generates steam to drive a turbine that generates electricity. | |||
}} | |||
How much does the world produce: | |||
{{calc | {{calc | ||
|crop_residues / world.population | |crop_residues / world.population | ||
| Line 53: | Line 65: | ||
|dry_mass | |dry_mass | ||
}} | }} | ||
If this could be converted into [[packaging]], it would probably be more than enough to '''replace all disposable plastic.''' | |||
===Energy=== | |||
If all of it was burned for [[energy]], it would be equivalent to burning: | |||
{{calc | {{calc | ||
|dry_mass * fiber.energy_by_mass | |dry_mass * fiber.energy_by_mass | ||
|cups gasoline/day per capita | |||
}} | |||
If it was burned in a power plant, the electricity generated would be: | |||
{{calc | |||
|dry_mass * fiber.energy_by_mass * power_plant.efficiency | |||
|watts per capita | |watts per capita | ||
}} | }} | ||
<!-- | '''Biomass energy is nowhere near enough to power the world.''' | ||
<!--But it's still better than nothing, and at least it's not the same as [[biofuel|burning edible food]].--> | |||
==See also== | |||
Other [[energy]] sources: | |||
* [[Solar]] | |||
* [[Wind]] | |||
* [[Hydro]] | |||
* [[Nuclear]] | |||
[[Category:Energy sources]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:39, 17 October 2023
Nearly every food crop has some parts that are too fibrous for people to eat. These are called crop residues, also known as biomass waste.
Examples
- banana leaves
- peanut shells
- coconut shells
- empty corn cobs with no kernels
- rice husks
- sunflower seed husks
- straw
Uses
- All biomass waste can be burned for energy.
- Some kinds of biomass waste can be converted into packaging.
- Some kinds of biomass waste can be fed to ruminants (cows).
- Some kinds of biomass waste can be used for cultivating mushrooms.
- If there's no other use, biomass waste can be composted back into the soil.
3 and 4 are both ways to convert fiber into human-edible protein & calories. Help figure out which of these processes is more efficient overall. This page doesn't have enough information yet - join the discussion.
Supply
Global fossil fuel consumption far exceeds what can be produced by crops.
Mass
Soybean meal is not counted here, because it can be turned into human food (soy flour).
Source:
Breewood, H. & Garnett, T. (2020). What is feed-food competition? (Foodsource: building blocks). Food Climate Research Network, University of Oxford.
Page 10
References primary source:
Mottet, A., de Haan, C., Falcucci, A., Tempio, G., Opio, C., & Gerber, P. (2017). Livestock: On our plates or eating at our table? A new analysis of the feed/food debate. Global Food Security.
How much does the world produce: (calculation loading)
If this could be converted into packaging, it would probably be more than enough to replace all disposable plastic.
Energy
If all of it was burned for energy, it would be equivalent to burning: (calculation loading)
If it was burned in a power plant, the electricity generated would be:
(calculation loading)
Biomass energy is nowhere near enough to power the world.
See also
Other energy sources: